About Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a gentle and effective approach for resolving trauma and other stress disorders from the bottom up, that is, by including the body and nervous system in the conversation. SE was developed by Dr. Peter Levine using a multidisciplinary study of stress physiology, psychology, ethology, biology, neuroscience, indigenous healing practices, and medical biophysics, together with over 45 years of successful clinical application. SE works with the body-memory that is stored in the older reptilian and mammalian parts of the brain. It offers a neurobiological framework to assess where a person is “stuck” in the instinctual strategies of fight, flight or freeze responses, and provides tools to resolve these fixated physiological states and restore self-regulation. SE gets to the source of the trauma response, the autonomic nervous system, which drives the symptoms of trauma and stress related conditions if the fight or flight or freeze response has been thwarted.  Because SE focuses on the body's memory and experience of events, it is possible to ease or resolve trauma symptoms without necessarily re-telling, or even knowing, the story.

Trauma can seriously impair a person’s ability to function with resilience and ease.  It may result from a wide variety of stressors such as accidents, medical procedures, serious illness, sexual or physical assault, abuse, neglect, witnessing violence, war, natural disasters, loss, birth trauma, or systemic stressors creating ongoing oppression and fear. 

Carmen supports individuals using SE interventions, yoga therapy, parts work, mindfulness and coaching techniques. SE is not psychotherapy and Carmen does not diagnose, treat, nor prescribe for medical or psychiatric conditions.

“I have come to the conclusion that human beings are born with an innate capacity to triumph over trauma. I believe not only that trauma is curable, but that the healing process can be a catalyst for profound awakening—a portal opening to emotional and genuine spiritual transformation. I have little doubt that as individuals, families, communities, and even nations, we have the capacity to learn how to heal and prevent much of the damage done by trauma. In so doing, we will significantly increase our ability to achieve both our individual and collective dreams.”
― Peter A. Levine PhD, Healing Trauma: A Pioneering Program for Restoring the Wisdom of Your Body